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France to pay Congo, Guinea $150m for forest protection

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France to pay Congo, Guinea $150m for forest protection

France agreed on Saturday to pay Papua New Guinea $100 million and the Republic of Congo $50 million to protect their forests.
President Emmanuel Macron said he hoped to conclude a similar $60 million deal with DR Congo as he announced the partnerships at the UN’s COP28 climate talks in Dubai.
“Nature is the best technology available to capture and store CO2,” he said, adding that “we have to remunerate countries when they actively protect these forests”.
The move comes a day after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva appealed for the creation of a $250 billion fund to save tropical forests, which would pay 80 countries for their preservation efforts.

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Iran Accuses US of Ceasefire Breach as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

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Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei and United States President Donald Trump

Iran Accuses US of Ceasefire Breach as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

Iran has accused the United States of violating a fragile ceasefire agreement, raising alarm over escalating tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments. The accusations come amid conflicting reports about the status of the strait and ongoing regional attacks.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf, claimed that Washington had breached multiple aspects of the temporary truce, citing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, drone incursions into Iranian airspace, and U.S. demands on Iran’s uranium enrichment as violations. Ghalibaf stressed that these actions undermined the “workable basis” for negotiations, calling a bilateral ceasefire “unreasonable.”

The White House, however, rejected Iran’s allegations. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that the U.S. had not agreed to allow Iran to continue uranium enrichment and confirmed that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire agreement. She also claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remained open, despite Tehran’s conflicting reports suggesting closure.

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Adding to the confusion, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that while a few tankers had transited the strait early Wednesday, passage was later suspended, with Tehran warning that vessels attempting transit without permission could face attacks and heavy tolls.

Regional instability intensified as Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline came under drone attack, and Kuwait intercepted 28 drones targeting critical infrastructure, including oil facilities and power plants. Explosions were also reported in Tehran, though U.S. officials declined to comment on these incidents.

Analysts warn that the ceasefire could collapse quickly as disagreements over its interpretation persist. The U.S. and allies maintain the ceasefire is a temporary halt in hostilities, while Iran seeks broader regional concessions, complicating its implementation. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited, with many vessels awaiting clearer conditions before resuming operations.

The situation underscores the fragility of regional security and the risk of escalation, with experts cautioning that without a clear, enforceable agreement, tensions may spill over into a wider Middle East conflict.

Iran Accuses US of Ceasefire Breach as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

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Strait of Hormuz Reopens as US, Iran Confirm Two‑Week Ceasefire

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Strait of Hormuz Crisis - Iran Threatens to Stop Gulf Oil Shipments

Strait of Hormuz Reopens as US, Iran Confirm Two‑Week Ceasefire

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, has reopened following a two‑week conditional ceasefire between the United States and Iran, confirmed by both countries on Wednesday. The temporary truce comes after escalating tensions in the region and is expected to ease pressure on global energy markets.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that safe passage through the strait will be allowed for the next 14 days, coordinated with Iran’s armed forces and subject to technical considerations. The reopening follows US President Donald Trump’s warning that Iran’s energy infrastructure, including bridges, would face attacks if Tehran failed to comply.

The ceasefire agreement, described by Trump as a “double-sided ceasefire”, also involves Israel, which has agreed to suspend related military operations during the two-week period. Pakistan, which mediated talks between Washington and Tehran, confirmed that an immediate ceasefire is in effect and invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad for further negotiations toward a comprehensive settlement.

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Trump emphasized that Iran’s 10-point proposal provides a workable basis for negotiations, with reports indicating that it includes provisions for lifting sanctions. He hailed the temporary truce as a diplomatic victory for the United States, while Iranian officials portrayed the deal as a major step toward stabilizing the region.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is a significant relief for the global oil market, which had been affected by disruptions due to earlier attacks in the region. The strait handles around 20% of global petroleum trade, and its closure had caused spikes in crude prices. Following the ceasefire announcement, Brent crude and US West Texas Intermediate benchmarks fell sharply.

Despite the truce, experts caution that underlying conflicts, including nuclear and regional security issues, remain unresolved. The ceasefire offers a window for diplomatic engagement, though long-term stability will depend on successful negotiations and continued adherence to the agreement by all parties.

Strait of Hormuz Reopens as US, Iran Confirm Two‑Week Ceasefire

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Trump Accuses CNN of ‘Fake News’ Over Iran Ceasefire Victory Report

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US President Donald Trump

Trump Accuses CNN of ‘Fake News’ Over Iran Ceasefire Victory Report

US President Donald Trump has sparked a major controversy after disputing CNN’s report that Iran claimed victory following a recent temporary ceasefire agreement with the United States. Trump labeled the report “fraudulent” and accused the network of sourcing its information from a “fake news site from Nigeria.”

The dispute unfolded shortly after Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, aimed at halting hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and creating room for diplomatic negotiations. Trump insisted that the ceasefire represented a “total and complete victory” for the United States.

CNN had published a report quoting Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, claiming Tehran had achieved a “historic and crushing defeat” of the United States and forced Washington to accept portions of its proposed discussion framework. Trump rejected the report, stating that it did not reflect Iran’s official position. He demanded that CNN retract the article and issue a full apology.

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In posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted that CNN republished a false statement originally linked to a “trouble-making site from Nigeria”. He described the network’s coverage as dangerous and potentially inflammatory given the sensitive national security context. Trump added that authorities were investigating whether a crime had been committed in issuing the disputed report.

Brendan Carr, Chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission, publicly defended Trump’s position, criticizing CNN for allegedly spreading a hoax headline at a critical moment. “Fake news is bad enough for the country, but pushing out a hoax headline in such a sensitive national security moment requires accountability,” Carr said.

CNN, however, has refused to retract or apologise, maintaining that its report relied on credible Iranian officials and multiple state-backed media sources. A spokesperson emphasized that the network followed standard journalistic verification procedures and accurately reported the statements made by Iranian authorities at the time.

Analysts note that the feud highlights a broader battle over narrative control in the aftermath of the US-Iran ceasefire. While Trump portrays the agreement as a strategic success for the United States, Iranian authorities and international observers point to a more complex and contested outcome.

The ceasefire, which temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz, has been recognized globally as a step toward de-escalation in the region, though questions remain over the long-term impact of the deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the truce includes a two-week promise of safe transit through the strategic waterway, critical to global petroleum supply.

The dispute underscores ongoing tensions over media credibility, misinformation, and the portrayal of international conflicts, with both sides standing firm: Trump demanding corrections and accountability, and CNN defending its reporting based on official sources.

Trump Accuses CNN of ‘Fake News’ Over Iran Ceasefire Victory Report

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